We're in a similar situation where we live in Leicester -some nights there is a choice of six or seven clubs we could go to. I used to live in East Sussex, and that was one of the "deserts" you're describing, though admittedly that was a long time ago.

I think in some areas there are known and publicised gatherings running in parallel with another bunch of non-publicised ones which suit the participants to maintain as they are rather than expand or throw open to the world.

I went to a new place (for me) which has existed for some years within 15 miles of me and then discovered two other ones within a similar radius which I was completely unaware of.